‘Terminator’ fear terminated; lots of Summer Glau on tap

Jeepers! It was depressing enough to read that the Television Critics Association tour in January — where the nation’s critics gather material about shows and celebrities — was officially cancelled Monday because of the witer’s strike.

Then, I read about San Antonio’s own sci fil goddess — Summer Glau — joining Hollywood picketers and groaning over the halt of production on Fox’s new sci-fi drama,”Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.”

In a story by Eric Goldman, “Joss Whedon, friends and fans on the picket line,” Glau, who is forever grateful to Whedon for casting her in “Firefly” and the big-screen version, “Serenity,” said stopping work has been “heartbreaking.”

“No one wants to stop working. We love what we do. This is just a necessary step for us. We’ll support the writers as long as they are striking,” she added. (The link to the rest of the piece: http://tv.ign.com/articles/840/840597p1.html)

My heart stopped. The series, starring Glau as a good “terminator” a la Schwarzenneger in “Terminator 2,” is something I’ve been looking forward to — a little relief amid this desert of repeats resulting from the standoff between studio heads and show witers.

But hurrah! A Fox publicist assured me Tuesday that, before the last shooting day in late November, nine episodes — including the “Sarah Connor” pilot — have been completed and would air from January through the first part of March.

I’ve seen the pilot and second episode, with my enthralled 14-year-old son by my side, and I promise you this is one new series that’s going to make it — it’s that fantastic. The special effects are amazing, the acting intense and the stories moving and, at times, funny. It’s an absolute thrill ride, featuring young hero John Connor and his protective warrior mom, Sarah, their cyborg companion Cameron (Glau) and the manye monstrous terminators sent to chase and destroy them.

The date to watch for: Jan. 13, when the pilot airs. The second episode — the first to slide into “Terminator’s” regular timeslt — airs Jan. 14, from 8 to 9 p.m.